Nickelodeon shares computers with Burbank schools

Nickelodeon employees, from left, Jack Kinman, Carson Smith and Alex Shandi, unload computers that were donated to the Burbank Unified School District Arts For All program.

Nickelodeon employees, from left, Jack Kinman, Carson Smith and Alex Shandi, unload computers that were donated to the Burbank Unified School District Arts For All program. (Courtesy photo by Manny Grijalva)

Joyce Rudolph

Nickelodeon recently donated more than 60 “gently used” computers and 40 monitors to the Burbank Unified School District Arts For All program.

A number of the machines donated by the Burbank animation studio were used in the production of computer-generated shows, said Carson Smith, Nickelodeon Human Resources manager. The company made the donation for two reasons.

“We at Nickelodeon think it is extremely important to partner with the community, and since our motto has always been ‘Kids First,' we thought it was fitting that the machines would benefit children in the area,” Smith said. “Additionally, although used, the machines were still in perfect working order, and by donating them we were able to keep them out of a landfill and put them in the hands of someone who could use them.”

Technology has become a huge component of the creative process, and to allow the students to work on the type of machines that are currently being used in the “business” is hugely beneficial in preparing them for their next steps, he added.

Peggy Flynn, arts coordinator for the district, has been working with the district's technology department to find the optimum place for the computers and monitors.

“Twelve of the high-powered animation computers will go to the media programs — some at Luther, some at Jordan and some will go to the video production class at Burbank High School,” she said.